Critical Responses to Global Systemic Risk in an Era of Polycrisis

In this paper, Ruth Richardson argues that the global polycrisis demands a transformative shift in how systemic risks are assessed and addressed. Traditional, siloed approaches to risk management are no longer sufficient to confront the cascading and compounding nature of today’s interconnected challenges. She emphasizes the need for integrated, transdisciplinary methods that draw on diverse knowledge systems and values, and highlights the Accelerator for Systemic Risk Assessment (ASRA) as a key initiative advancing new principles, tools, and pilot projects to guide systemic risk assessment and response across multiple scales and sectors. The article calls for institutional reform, increased investment, and stronger international cooperation to build resilience.